Introduction to

Urban and Regional Planning

PLNING 342

AR 44 LB 207

Second Semester, SY 2012-2013

Review

Humans in their ecological setting

Ekistics: the science of human settlements

The Environment

The environment is that part of the world that surrounds us

Modern societies typically refer to the environment as the resource; a platform for human activity but not the place where we live

Essence of the Ecological Framework

An obligatory interdependence between living organisms and their

physical and biological environment

This web of interdependence and of mutuality is referred to as an

ecosystem

Thus, an Ecosystem consists of the

Bounded system of dynamic interdependent relationships between living organisms and their physical and biological environment

The quest for food is the central organizing principle of life within every ecosystem

Some signs which indicate that ecosystems are threatened

Environmental degradation

Biodiversity loss Deforestation Social and economic systems breakdown

Resulting in loss of

resilience (refers to the ability to absorb shock and disturbances)

There are thresholds at which the levels of stress will lead to the disruption of the system

One concept used to understand these critical limits and thresholds is carrying capacity, which assumes that:

there are finite or limited number of people who can be supported without degrading the natural environment and social, economic and cultural systems and, as such, is an indirect measure of the maximum level of stress that the ecosystem can maintain

Source: Barbier, Burgess and Folke, 1994

Carrying Capacity Concept

Premise

Human life depends on healthy ecosystems that supply life-sustaining

resources and absorb wastes

But

Current growth and consumption

patterns put increasing stress on

ecosystems

Precautionary Principle

Recognizes that

the outcomes of

development are

often uncertain and

taking decisions

which minimize the

adverse outcomes

which may arise

Where our understanding of

the likely consequences of

human interventions in the

natural environment is limited

and there are treats of serious

or irreversible damage to

natural systems and

processes, there is a

premium on taking a cautious and conservative approach to development

(Barbier, Burgess and Folke 1994:172)

Two key concepts underlie our relationship with the ecosystem

Stewardship concept not exceeding the carrying capacity of nature

Deep ecology aspect

not allowing human

excesses to destroy the

integrity of creation